Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 163: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of civil servants that are employed in the Permanent Representation in Brussels; if he will provide a breakdown by grade for this staff; if these staff are paid any extra payment for the nature of the work involved; the way these staff are selected for these appointments; if the selection of these staff is conducted in conformity with the terms and requirements of the code of practice of the Commission for Public Service Appointments; if there has been any allegations of a breach of the code; if any of these allegations were reviewed by the Commission for Public Service Appointments; if the commission upheld any complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47488/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

A total of seventy-five civil servants are assigned from Ireland to the Permanent Representation in Brussels, of which 39 are officials of the Department of Foreign Affairs and 36 are from other Government Departments and Offices. A full breakdown by grade is contained in the table below. Officers assigned to the Permanent Representation do not receive extra remuneration in connection with the nature of the work involved there. They do, however, receive foreign service allowances under a scheme approved by the Minister for Finance to defray certain additional expenses which officers incur as a result of serving abroad. The amount payable is determined by an independent agency on the basis of the cost of living differential between Dublin and Brussels. Allowance rates are regularly reviewed to take account of changes in this respect.

Temporary service abroad is a normal feature of working life in the Department of Foreign Affairs. For most grades, decisions about temporary foreign assignments are made by the Department's Management Advisory Committee on the basis of lists of preferences submitted by staff members. Ambassadors, however, are appointed by the President, based on nominations by the Government which in turn is advised by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. The average duration of foreign assignments is 4-5 years, following which the officer normally returns to Headquarters.

My Department has no role in the selection by other Government Departments or Offices of staff to fill their 36 posts in the Permanent Representation.

Temporary assignments to posts in Irish Missions abroad do not involve appointments to the civil service or promotions to higher grades. I am not, therefore, aware of any role in the matter for the Commission for Public Service Appointments. Nor have I been informed about any suggestion that its Code of Practice has been breached.